Combination sheath and tool holder for knife blade



y 1953 A. B. ACIEGO r 2,833,036

COMBINATION SI-IEATH AND TO OL HOLDER FOR KNIFE BLADE Filed Nov. 7, 1955 ALF ONSO B. ACIEGO DY (52am: 0- 7 m ATwR' srs INVENTORQ A assaese Patented May 6, 1958 nice COMBINATION SHEATH AND TOOL HQLDER FQR KNIFE BLADE This invention relates generally to an attachment for the blade of a knife, whereby the attachment functions together with the knife blade to provide a means of retaining an additional tool. In particular, the invention concerns a combination sheath and tool holder for a knife blade, in which the sheath not only functions as a protective member, but alsohas a structure such that it may be used as a means for securing another tool, while at the same time renderingthe blade inactive.

Although it will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in various designs, depending upon the shape and function of the particular blade to which it is to be adapted, its features will be illustratively described with reference to a conventional linoleum knife.

In the laying of linoleum or other similar flooring materials, it is common practice in the art to first mark or scribe the linoleum according to the particular shape or edge contour desired. This preliminary step is particularly important when doing detailwork around the door moldings, wall projections, and the like. Thereafter, the linoleum may be severed by the use of a conventional linoleum knife along the mark formed by the scribing tool.

It will be apparent that in such a procedure it is always necessary for the craftsman to have both a scribing tool and linoleum knife at his disposal in order that he may change from the use of one tool to another. Furthermore, in view of the sharp nature of both tools, the craftsman must take particular pains to safely position the tool not being used, either on his person or in the adjacent working area.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a combination sheath and toolholder for a knife blade in which the sheath functions together with the blade as a means of retaining another tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheath for a knife blade according to the foregoing object, which will also serve as a protective covering for the blade when it is not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination sheath and tool holder for a knife blade, which although rugged, may be simply and inexpensively manufactured.

A still further object of the present invention is to form a combination sheath and tool holder for a lineoleum knife blade whereby the linoleum knife may be used not only as a cutting tool but also as a scribing tool.

Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are attained by providing a combination sheath and tool holder for a knife blade comprising a pair of superposed members designed for disposal on either side of the cutting portion of the blade. The members have one pair of adjacent side edges joined together for positioning over the blunt edge of the cutting portion of the blade. The joined edges are spaced apart from the blunt edge of the cutting portion of the blade so that an inner, elongated channel is formed between the joined edges and the blunt edge of the blade to which the shank of a 2 tool may be inserted and secured. The opposite end of adjacent side edges of the members is positioned over the cutting edge of the blade and may be joined together so as to firmly retain the members stationary with respect to the blade during manipulation of the tool.

In a preferred construction, the superposed members are formed by an integral fiat member which is folded back on itself so as to form a rounded connecting section which lies along and is spaced apart from the blunt edge of the cutting portion of the blade. This rounded section, together with the blunt edge of the blade, forms a generally U-shaped channel for positioning of the shank of a tool.

A better understanding of the present invention will be hadby reference to the drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment is shown for illustrative purposes, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a linoleum knife with the combination sheath and tool holder of the present invention incorporated thereon;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the combination sheath and tool holder of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an end view in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Figure 2; and,

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of that portion of Figure 2 enclosed in the circular arrow 4.

In Figure 1 there is shown a' conventional linoleum knife having a handle 10 adapted to receive and retain a blade 11. Positioned on a cutting portion 12 of the blade 11 is a combination sheath and tool holder, generally designated by the numeral 13, embodying the features of the present invention. The attachment 13 is designed and shaped so as to form a protective covering over the cutting portion of the blade 11 and to generally follow the contour of the cutting edge 14 and blunt edge 15 of the cutting portion 12 of the blade. The structural details of the attachment 13 are more clearly shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4.

In Figure 2, it will be seen that the attachment 13 comprises a flat member folded back on itself so as to form superposed side members 16 and 17. In this manner, one pair of adjacent side edges of the members 16 and 17 are integrally connected and rounded together. Suitable means, for example, in the form of rivets 18 and 19 further connect the side members 16 and 17 together at points disposed in proximity to an opposite pair of side edges 2% and 21. By properly positioning the rivets 18 and 19, an end opening 22 will be maintained between the side members 16 and 17 into which the cutting por tion 12 of the blade 11 may be inserted, in a manner as more clearly shown in the view of Figure l. The cutting edge 1140f the blade 11 will be prevented from passing from the. attachment 13 between the side edges 20 and 21 by the rivets 18 and 19, the latter also serving to guide the cutting portion 12 down to a point adjacent a lower end opening 23 of relatively confining dimensions.

As seen in the view of Figure 3, the folding over step to form the side members 16 and 17 will result in the formation of an inner channel 24 extending the length of the side members 16 and 17. A tool such as a scriber 25, for example, is adapted to be received within this channel. 7

The manner in which the tool or scriber 25 is received and mounted within the channel 24 is more clearly shown in the view of Figure 4. In this regard, prior to folding back to form the superposed side members 16 and 17, an opening 26 is formed in the attachment 13 so as to be disposed along the folded section and to expose a portion of the channel 24. The upper end of the opening 26 is then closed ofi by a stop 27 formed by bending down a portion of the folded section. The tool 25 is then 7 3 passed upwardly through a lower folded section 28 so that its shank portion 29 will abut against the stop 27. A set screw 30 is provided near the lower end opening .23, and it functions not only to close off the end pen ing 23 by drawing the. two side members 16 and 17 together in this area, but it also serves to further compress the folded section 28 so that the shank 29 of the tool 25 will be firmly gripped within this section. With the cutting portion 12 disposed within the attachment 13, the blunt edge as shown in Figure 1, will also be positioned so as to restrict movement of the scriber 25 to wards the side edges and 21. Thus, the scriber will be firmly retained imposition in the lower section 28, not only by the gripping action of this section as the screw 30 is tightened, but also by the stop 27 and by the blunt edge 15 of the knife blade 11.

Removal of the scriber is quickly accomplished by merely loosening the, set screw 30 and pulling the scriber downwardly. In practice, it is feasible to merely stick the scriber 25 into wood or some equivalent substance, once thescrew -has been loosened, and pull the attachment 13 upwardly, whereby the wood will retain the scriber and the attachment 13 will be pulled free thereof.

It will thus be apparent that the combination sheath including a folded edge portion to be positioned over and spaced apart from one edge of said blade, whereby an inner elongated channel is formed between said folded edge portion and said one edge of said blade in which the shank of a tool may be retained; a stop member extending inwardly from said folded edge portion and and tool holder of the present invention not only func- 25 closing ofi an end portion of said channel, whereby an inner abutment is formed for receiving said shank of said tool; said side members having a pair of adjacent side edges opposing said folded edge portion, said pair of adjacent side edges being adapted to be positioned over and extend beyond the other edge of said blade; connecting means joining said pair of adjacent side edges together; and, a set screw mounted in said side members for drawing said side members adjustably together in anarea adjacent said end portion of said channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,329,912 Lewis Feb. 3, 1920, 1,513,861 Rieger Nov. 4, 1924 1,655,610 Jensen Jan. 10, 1928 

